USA > Virginia > Fairfax County > Fairfax County > The history of Truro Parish in Virginia > Part 3
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The time for processioning the lands having come again, and the division of the Parish having changed its geography, etc, It was ordered that James Donaldson and John Jenkins procession between Difficult and Pimmetts run, Guy Broad- water and James Robertson between Pimmetts
*From the County Court records, February 8th, 1752. "A peti- tion for selling the Glebe lands in the Parish of Truro and pur- chasing other land more convenient presented and ordered certified to the Assembly."
For the Act see Hening, VI, 270. It is from this Act that we discover the lines between Truro and Cameron, the Act providing for the division being lost except its title.
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THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
run and Four Mile run, Edward Masterson and William Gleading between Four Mile run and Hunting Creek, Sampson Darrell and John Posey between Hunting Creek and Dogue run, Edward Violet and William Ashford between Dogue run and Accotink, Abraham Barnes and Robert Bog- gess between Accotink and Pohick, William Rear- don and John Hereford between Pohick and Oc- coquan to Sandy run, Thomas Ford and Richard Simpson from Sandy run to Popes Head and the branches of Difficult.
1752. The Glebe was sold at auction and bought by Mr. William Ramsay for fifty pounds current money; and 176 acres of land adjoining the old Glebe was bought of Rev. Charles Green for 13,500 pounds of tobacco. Proposals were in- vited for buildings on the Glebe according to law, the dwelling house to be of brick, to contain in the clear about 1200 feet, of one story and a cellar and convenient rooms and closets; to be advertised in the Gazette and at the several Churches and the Courthouse. In October Mr. Thomas Waite contracted for the dwelling house and other houses on the Glebe for 425 pounds current money, and Rev. Charles Green undertook to do the rest of the building necessary, apparently without com- pensation.
The Clerk of the Upper Church was directed to "read prayers every intervening Sunday," and was allowed 1200 pounds of tobacco for his salary.
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THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
ALEXANDRIA
1753, June 4th. "On the petition of Capt. John West ordered that the Rev. Mr. Charles Green do preach every third Sunday at the Town of Alex- andria." This is the first time Alexandria is men- tioned in this record, and this is probably the date of the first Chlrch services there. Hitherto it has not been supposed that there had been Church ser- vice at Alexandria before 1762. It is not generally known that the site of Alexandria was included in a grant of land, (6,000 acres,) extending from Hunting Creek to the Little Falls, from Sir Wil- liam Berkeley to Robert Howson. In October, 1669, Howson, for six hogsheads of tobacco, con- veyed these lands to John Alexander, who, with his brothers Robert and Gerard, had emigrated from Scotland. (See Dinwiddie Papers, Vol. I, p. 89.) There had been for some years warehouses at Pohick, Hunting Creek, and at Thomas Lee's land at the Falls, when, in 1748, a town named Alexandria was established by Act of Assembly at Hunting Creek Warehouse, sometimes called Belle-Haven.
In 1754 there is mention of the payment of 100 pounds of tobacco to Capt. John West for "part of building the desk at Alexandria." And in 1756 the Churchwardens are ordered "to have seats made for the Church at Alexandria."*
*Strange to say these are the only mentions made in this Ves- try Book of any levy or appropriation for building, furnishing or
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THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
COLCHESTER
As Colchester was a conspicuous feature of Truro Parish it may be well to record here that it was established as a Town by Act of Assembly in 1753-4 on 25 acres of land belonging to Peter Wagener, as being "very convenient for trade, and greatly to the ease of frontier inhabitants." The Trustees and Directors were Peter Wagener, Daniel McCarty, John Barry, William Ellzey, and Edward Washington, all Vestrymen of Truro Par- ish.
1754. Messrs. George Mason, Daniel McCarty, and Hugh West, who had been appointed to view the buildings on the Glebe as they progressed, made a report, showing the manliness of the times, which some modern Vestries would do well to imitate. They say the bricks are not fit to be used, and that the following notice should be given to Mr. Waite, the undertaker, and his securities :- "Mr. Waite: The Vestry are of opinion that none of the bricks of the two first kilns are fit to be put into the walls of the Glebe House, but that what is done be pulled down and done with good bricks and that the cellar windows be done with good ring oak or locust; and that in case you begin anew that they will allow you six months further
repairing a Church in Alexandria; though hereafter the Clerk and the Sexton at Alexandria are regularly paid as at the other Churches. It is probable therefore that Capt. West and others themselves provided a hall or Chapel for services, even paying in part for building the desk.
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THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
than the time mentioned in your bond to compleat it."
"Ordered, that the King's Attorney do prose- cute for this Parish."
The Hon. William Fairfax was appointed Ves- tryman in the room of Hugh West, deceased. The Churchwardens were directed to give notice for the impotent people of the Parish to appear before the Vestry the following May, and also any person who will undertake to board them.
September, 1755. The time for processioning land recurs, and some of the details are given be- cause they throw light on the history of the Par- ish. David Piper, John Hereford, and Marielles Littlejohn are to procession the several tracts of land that have their beginnings between Occo- quan, Potomac river, Accotink run and the road that leads from Hunting Creek through the Glebe land to Occoquan. John Peak, Daniel French, John Posey, and Abednego Adams, between Ac- cotink, Potomac river, Hunting Creek and the road that leads from Hunting Creek through the Glebe land. John Dalton, Thomas Harrison, John Hunter, and Nathaniel Smith, between Hunting Creek, Potomac river, and the road that leads from Awbreys ferry to the upper Church and the road that leads from Cameron to the said Church. Guy Broadwater, James Robertson and James Donald- son, between the road that leads from Awbreys ferry to the upper Church and the road from up-
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THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
per Church to Difficult run, and then down the run to Potomac river, and then down the river to Awbreys ferry. Lewis Ellzey, James Hawley, William Adams, and John Ratcliff, between the road that leads from Cameron to Difficult run, and up the run and Parish line till the line comes to the road that leads from Cameron by Capt. Lewis Ellzeys, and so down the said road to Cam- eron. Thomas Shaw, Presley Cox, James Jugo Dozier, Joseph Stephens, Sampson Demevill, and John Hampton between the road that leads from Cameron by Capt. Lewis Ellzeys to the Parish line, and so down the Parish line to Occoquan ferry, and then up the road by the Glebe to Hunt- ing Creek.
Mrs. Sybil West is paid 1800 pounds of tobacco for elements for the Churches. Wm. Payne and Henry Gunnell chosen Vestrymen in 1756.
1757. Geo. Wm. Fairfax chosen Vestryman in the room of his father, Hon. William Fairfax, de- ceased .* Several parties were paid for attendance as witnesses in Churchwardens suit against Cole. 1758. John West jun. becomes Clerk of the Vestry. George Mason, John West and Daniel
*William Fairfax was a cousin of Thomas, Lord Fairfax, Pro- prietor of the Northern Neck, and his agent in Virginia until he himself came over. He was a Burgess from Prince William Co. from 1742 until 1744, when he became a member of the Governor's Council. George William Fairfax was a Burgess from Frederick Co. from 1752 to 1755, and from Fairfax, 1756-58. He also became a member of the Council in 1768. He was a half brother of the Rev. Bryan, Lord Fairfax, afterward Rector of Christ Church, Alexandria.
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THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
McCarty to examine the Parish papers and report to the next Vestry.
1759. Mr. Waite, "tho' often admonished," having failed in doing his work at the Glebe build- ings according to agreement, the Vestry take steps to annul his contract. William Bucklands finally completes the work and is paid the balance due Waite. Processioners were again appointed, be- ing generally those who had served before.
1760 and 1761. We have only the usual routine Parish items and appropriations for salaries, main- tenance of the poor, Physicians and Lawyers fees, etc. Mrs. Sybil West's account for elements for the Holy Communion is about 1100 pounds of tobacco annually.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, VESTRYMAN
1762. October 25th. "Ordered, that George Washington Esqr. be chosen and appointed one of the Vestrymen of this Parish in the room of Wil- liam Peake Gent. deceased."*
THE FALLS CHURCH
"At a Vestry held at the Falls Church Marchi 28th, 1763. Present, Henry Gunnell, William Payne jun. Church Wardens, John West, William Payne (sen.) Chas. Broadwater, Thos. Wren,
*From the Records of the County Court of Fairfax, February 15th, 1763: "George Washington Esqr. took the oaths according to Law repeated and subscribed the Test and subscribed to the Doc- trine and Discipline of the Church of England in order to qualify him to act as a Vestryman of Truro Parish."
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Ch. Vatry
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
McCarty to examine the Parish papers and report to the next Vestry.
1759. Mr. Waite, "tho' often admonished," having failed in doing his work at the Glebe build- ings according to agreement, the Vestry take steps to annul his contract. William Bucklands finally completes the work and is paid the balance due Waite. Processioners were again appointed, be- ing generally those who had served before.
1760 and 1761. We have only the usual routine Parish items and appropriations for salaries, main- tenance of the poor, Physicians and Lawyers fees, etc. Mrs. Sybil West's account for elements for the Holy Communion is about 1100 pounds of tobacco annually.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, VESTRYMAN
1762. October 25th. "Ordered, that George Washington Esqr. be chosen and appointed one of the Vestrymen of this Parish in the room of Wil- liam Peake Gent. deceased."*
THE FALLS CHURCH
"At a Vestry held at the Falls Church March 28th, 1763. Present, Henry Gunnell, William Payne jun. Church Wardens, John West, William Payne (sen.) Chas. Broadwater, Thos. Wren,
*From the Records of the County Court of Fairfax, February 15th, 1763: "George Washington Esqr. took the oaths according to Law repeated and subscribed the Test and subscribed to the Doc- trine and Discipline of the Church of England in order to qualify him to act as a Vestryman of Truro Parish."
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the Sandations with Brick os Tile floors covered with byprofe Shingles, boiling and Walter Plaintired and wide world, Que pannello Door ing the broaderdes with a duck Window with Awolven Lights and pannel theother apposito. Barge boda Said Casario, The Doors, Window wird Masters, Burgers Board Hlorais to be p antes, a Lost In the Door, wid the whole to be fineo bed in a Workman like mannenby Christinal netto-The said Houfes to be furnished with Tableand three Bonchon for making which and the Corgis, the under toher to be allowed a deficiency of Plant ant of the Parishes Plank now in Finale Littlejohns Y. B .... Hauge :- And Caff Dward Paynes have ing indentation do agreed with this" Vouthy . - bb.in the Said How van manner a faresaid & by the times a love how mentioned, and town provides the ward. Tables and the Ban ches for the Sun of Fifty one pounds For Millinge Cours Money , one half to be paid by the first day of August met, and the Room anders on an Before the first day of august 168 .- andare) that the James be plaid home accordingly. on - -
graphingtony 36:00 "Will and Gar down) IMajon.
Daniel Marty Alex Hondarson The Withers Capfor Welham Linton
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Fast Schon Bing
Ala Vestry Los yon Finns Parish, the 22, 20 ยท Hay 17 Gia the Wii, - "Present The Root Los Hofry Minut Mofort George Washington WWWS & Mnen O Jorge Malong John Pofong Dove MCarly Dowi Payneo 8 M' Thomasion Ellary having wtwind . Platofat Vinosy made of the Globe Land, pursuant low former oder of Vostra containing theen hundsd right fives Deres and ... Parf only, which mid Lands Ifdand being opposed to Jules to the highest $0.00 purchased by Daniel M. Carty Golf, at the R
towsonegy who gave his Bond with M" Richard~ Chichester him Security for the same, payable eighteen Months homes, to George Washington D. Will.i. Gandnera Church wardone, for Him Ils of His Parish,
The Church Plater being also ofpoland trung was punched by the said Daniel M. Carly it ?. Rice of Twenty lif pounds, Virginia Concernant .He then of the Por
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The Old Vestr estry Book
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THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
Abra. Barnes, Danl. Mc.Carty, Robt. Boggess, and Geo. Washington, Vestrymen, Who being there met to examine into the state of the said Church, greatly in decay and want of repairs, and likewise whether the same should be repaired or a new one built, and whether at the same place or removed to a more convenient one ;- Resolved it is the opinion of this Vestry that the old Church is rotten and unfit for repair, but that a new Church be built at the same place. Ordered that the Clerk of the Vestry advertise in the Virginia and Maryland Gazettes for workmen to meet at the said Church on the 29th day of August next, if fair, if not the first fair day, to undertake the build- ing a Brick Church to contain 1600 feet on the floor, with a suitable gallery, and bring a plan for the Church and price according to the same."
There is no record of a meeting in August. Probably no contractors appeared.
October 3rd. 1763. "Ordered, that George William Fairfax and George Washington Esqrs. be appointed Church Wardens for the ensuing year."
1214140
"Ordered, that the Vestry meet at Alexandria on the third Tuesday in March next in order to agree with workmen to undertake the building a Church at or near the old Falls Church, and that the Church Wardens advertise the same in the Vir- ginia and Maryland Gazettes to be continued six weeks; and that it will be then expected of each
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THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
workmen to produce a plan and estimate of the expense." The Parish Levy called for 30,000 pounds of tobacco" towards building the Falls Church, to be sold for cash by the Church War- dens for the highest price they can get." Again there is no record of the meeting appointed for March (1764) being held .* But in the annual Levy laid in October of that year an additional 20,000 pounds of tobacco is levied "for building Churches in the Parish," and ordered to be sold as before. John Barry becomes Clerk of the Vestry.
SECOND DIVISION OF TRURO, AND FORMATION OF FAIRFAX PARISH
[Note by the Editor .- The facts in regard to the division of Truro, and the formation of Fairfax Parish, are not recorded in the Vestry
*Perhaps the Church Wardens overlooked their charge to adver- tise for contractors until after this Vestry was to have met. But on May 17th, 1764, their advertisement appeared in the Maryland Gazette, a copy of which is preserved in the Library of Congress, and ran for six weeks, as follows:
"Virginia, Fairfax county, March 20, 1764.
Notice is hereby given to any Person or Persons, who are will- ing to undertake the Building a Brick Church at the Falls in Truro Parish in the County aforesaid, (to contain 1600 feet superficial Measure, with convenient Galleries,) That on the Third Monday in June next, there will be a meeting of the Vestry, at what is com- monly called the Upper Church; At which Time and Place, any Person or Persons, who will undertake the same, are desired to attend, with their Plans, and Estimate of the Expence, and to give Bond, with good Security, to the Church wardens of the said Parish, for his or their true performance.
George W. Fairfax { George Washington Church wardens."
There is no record of a meeting of the Vestry on the third Mon- day in June, as specified above, and it is probable that this effort to secure a builder to undertake the Church was not successful. The present Falls Church was built a few years later by James Wren.
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THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
Book, and were but imperfectly known to Dr. Slaughter. He was not acquainted with the final Act of Assembly dividing the Parishes, nor had he ever seen the original and complete paper by Gen. Washington giving the result of the various elections of Vestrymen held at this time, which explains, and explains away, the seeming fact that Washington was chosen, contrary to all precedent, if not law, to serve simultaneously on the Vestries of two distinct Parishes. For these reasons Dr. Slaughter's History is, of necessity, at this point, radically imperfect; and the Editor feels that he will but carry out what would be the Author's wish, if it could be expressed, in departing from the manuscript for a few pages, and rewriting this portion of the Parish annals. ]
As early as 1761 a petition was presented to the County Court, and ordered certified to the Gen- eral Assembly, praying for a division of Truro Parish. The population of the County was in- creasing rapidly, there was an evident demand for more Churches and more services, while the health of the Rev. Mr. Green was failing. A division was the natural remedy. No action seems to have been taken further however until the year , 1764. In the Journal of the House of Burgesses we read that on November Ist of that year "A petition from sundry inhabitants of the Parish of Truro, in the County of Fairfax praying that the said Parish be divided into two distinct Parishes, was pre-
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THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
sented to the House and read." It was referred to Messrs. George Johnston and John West, the two Burgesses from Fairfax, to prepare and bring in a Bill agreeable to the prayer of the petitioners. November 3rd. Mr. Johnston presented the Bill for dividing the Parish of Truro, and it was passed on the 6th and agreed to by the Council on the 26th. The Act provided that the division should take place from February Ist, 1765, the line being -"by Doeg creek from the mouth thereof to Mr. George Washington's mill, and from thence, by a straight line, to the plantation, of John Munroe, and the same course continued to the line that di- vides the counties of Fairfax and Loudoun." All between this line and the Potomac.was to be the new Parish of Fairfax. Each Parish was to elect its Vestry, at a time and place appointed by the Sheriff, before the second of the following April. (See Hening, VIII. 43.) The elections were held in Truro on March 25th and in Fairfax on March 28th.
This division was exceedingly favorable to the new Parish, but naturally it met with small favor in Truro. Not only was she shorn.of much more than half her strength, but the congregation of Pohick, her one remaining Church, was divided, and Mount Vernon, with several other plantations which naturally belonged to this Church both from proximity and association, was now in Fair- fax Parish. Accordingly when the House of Bur-
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THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
gesses, after a recess of several months, met again in May, we find, under date of May 14, 1765, that "A petition of sundry inhabitants of the Parish of Truro, praying a more, equal division of the said Parish, also several petitions in opposition thereto,
were presented to the House and read." These were referred to the Committe of Propositions and Grivances, "to examine into the allegations there- of, and report the same with their opinion to the House." Of this Committee Mr. Johnston was a member, as was also George Washington, who at that time represented the County of Frederick, where he was also a large freeholder. On the 15th the Committee reported two resolutions. First, that the petition from Truro, complaining of the inequality in the late division, and praying that a new division be made, by a line to begin at Clifton's or Johnson's ferry on the Potomac and to , run from thence to the ford over Dogue run, and on by the line that was afterward adopted, was "reasonable." Second, that so much of the peti- tion from Fairfax Parish in opposition thereto as prays that if the Parishes, be divided it be by other lines as therein set forth was "also reasonable." The first proposition was rejected, and the Com- mittee ordered to bring in a Bill in accordance with the second resolution. The new Act was presented the same day and recommitted, reported with amendments on the 22d, passed the 23d, agreed to by the Council, and was signed by the
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THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
Governor on June Ist, so becoming a law on that date.
The preamble of this Act states that "Whereas it is represented to this present General Assembly that the lines and boundaries whereby the Parish of Truro, in the County of Fairfax, was divided into two distinct Parishes, pursuant to an Act passed for that purpose in the former part of this present session of Assembly, have made a very unequal division of the said Parish, by leaving nearly double the number of tithables in the new Parish of Fairfax than there are in Truro Parish, (sic) Be it therefore enacted &c. That the said Act be, and is hereby repealed, and declared null and void. And be it further enacted, That from and after the ninth day of June next the said Parish of Truro shall be divided into two distinct Par- ishes, in the following manner, that is to say; From the mouth of Little Hunting creek, up the same to the forks thereof; thence up the meanders of the south branch thereof, to the Gum Spring thereon; from thence by a straight line to the ford of Dogue run, where the back road from Colches- ter to Alexandria crosses the said run; and from thence by a straight line to the forks of Difficult." All above said lines to be Fairfax Parish, and all below to retain the name of Truro. New Vestries were to be elected in each Parish before the first of August following. Henry Lee, John Baylis, Foushee Tebbs, Allan Macrae, and William Car,
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THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
gentlemen, were appointed commissioners to ad- just and divide the cost of the Glebe and improve- ments thereon, and of the Church plate, and the 50,000 pounds of tobacco levied for building Churches and not yet expended, between the two Parishes according to the number of tithables in each at the time of the first division. (See Hening VIII. 157.) A plot and description of the above line, made by the County Surveyor, June 15, 1765, is on record in the Clerk's office of Fairfax County.
It is evident that Washington himself, and his immense estate at Mount Vernon, was the princi- pal bone of contention between the mother and
daughter Parishes. The lines proposed ran, the one on the south, the other on the north, of
the estate. The one finally adopted divided it, leaving far the larger part, however, with the man- sion house, in Truro. That he would take an ac- tive interest in the settlement of the question was inevitable, and doubtless his direct agency is to be seen in the compromise petition which found favor with the House of Burgesses and was the basis of their legislation. The Act which was passed may well have been drawn by his own pen. In contrast with the previous Act it is unusually spe- cific in its details, and would seem to indicate the hand of the Surveyor, in its clearly described lines, and of the Church Warden in its accurate enumer- ation of the property and assets of the Parish.
But there is another silent witness to Washing-
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THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
ton's concern in this division. In the Library of Congress there is preserved, among his journals and some other manuscript papers, a single sheet of foolscap written on both sides in his most formal hand, and giving the result, first of the elections of Vestries for the two Parishes held in March, 1765, under the first Act of. Assembly, and then of those held in July of the same year under the pro- visions of the second Act. The first page shows a large preponderance of, voters in Fairfax Parish at the first elections, bearing out the assertion that the first division was very unequal. The second page, with the simple calculation at the bottom, shows the number of voters in the two Parishes at the second election to have been nearly the same; 334 in Fairfax and 313 in Truro. Later the Vestry Book records that the new division gave to Fairfax Parish 1013 tithables, leaving 962 in Truro.
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